a. and sb. Phys. [ad. mod.L. ēmunctōri-us excretory, ēmunctōr-ium a means of cleansing by excretion (in classical L. used for ‘a pair of snuffers’), f. ēmungĕre: see prec.]
A. adj. a. Of or pertaining to the blowing of the nose. b. That has the function of conveying waste matters from the body.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, ccxliv. 83. The nosethrylles be the emunctorye places of the brayne.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Musk, It apparently filtrates thro’ the emunctory Glands.
1858. Polson, Law & L., 160. He found a sufficient substitute in his emunctory powers.
1864. E. B. Eastwick, 3 Years in Persia, I. 11. There was nothing but coughing, sternutation and emunctory movements for the next half hour.
B. sb. ‘A cleansing organ or canal; a term applied to the excretory ducts and organs of the body’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.). Also fig.
[1543. Traheron, Vigo’s Chirurg. Gloss., Emunctoria ben the clensyng places, as the flanckes, the armeholes [etc.].]
1601. Holland, Pliny, Gloss., Emunctories be those kernelly places in the body, by which the principall and noble parts doe void their superfluities.
1651. Biggs, New Disp., 172, ¶ 234. God hath ordained sufficient Emunctories for any filth whatsoever.
1767. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, IX. xx. Blow your noses,—cleanse your emunctories,—sneeze, my good people.
1821. New Monthly Mag., I. 440. The nose is the emunctory of the brain.
1854. Bushnan, in Circ. Sc., II. 21/2. A third great emunctory has to be added; namely, the kidney.
